Leave a Legacy

Kevin Spafford is Farm Journal’s succession planning expert for the Farm Journal Legacy Project.He hosts the nationally-televised ‘Leave a Legacy’ TV, facilitates an ongoing series of workshops for farm families across the U.S., and is the author of Legacy by Design: Succession Planning for Agribusiness Owners.

Let's Show 'Em What We Do...

Fascinating is an understatement; Dr. Temple Grandin is beyond belief… I met her in person for the first time last week and found her to have the uncanny ability to cut to the heart of an issue and separate the cause from the effect. She is well informed and prepared to offer viable alternatives to solve a given problem. We spent most of a day together and our conversation ran the gamut from animal welfare to animal rights, and from anti-farming activists to farming as the key to our nation’s sovereignty. When I asked what we in ag can do about attacks from the anti-farming crowd, Temple suggested we become more transparent—she said we should open the doors and let consumers see what we do.

In her words, "people are curious." They want to be informed, so they can make good decisions. Not being open implies we have something to hide. Being transparent encourages consumers to be part of the solution and to better understand the challenges we face as farmers. Transparency is about being open, communicating freely and being accountable for our actions. Regarding farmers, the industry and food production, people are going to believe what they hear unless or until they learn differently. We’re proud of our work, and have nothing to hide. Let’s show ’em what we do…